China has allowed the first group of tourists to visit its controversial man-made island in the disputed South China Sea. A Hainan Airlines plane carrying civilian visitors touched down on Cross Reef on Friday, sina News reported. The tourists are all families who are on the island, the report said. of soldiers stationed In response to Hanoi's criticism. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the test flights were conducted "within China's territory" and therefore legal. The construction of the man-made island and other land reclamation work in the South China Sea has drawn concerns that Beijing is becoming increasingly assertive towards its neighbours regarding territorial disputes. In October, the US sent a warship to the area on a freedom of navigation mission. which Beijing said was a "serious provocation.